Pastor David Maier - Forward in Hope

Lent and Easter: Invitations to Honesty, Transparency, and Healing … for ALL

(As found in the May, 2011 issue of Michigan In Touch)

After listing the great heroes of the faith in chapter 11, Hebrews 12 begins with this grand encouragement:  1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Ah, yes, “the sin that so easily entangles.”  (All sin has that germinal propensity.)  The worst part about repeated sins, or even addictions, is the gnawing sense of unworthiness and guilt over failure.  We feel cast aside from God’s use and God’s love.  With a self-loathing that comes from our inability to meet the expectations of ourselves and others we get stuck in guilt.  Wallowing in shame we shrink from the healing and forgiveness that God freely offers.

Philip Yancy wrote of a prostitute’s shameful confession that she had wanted to rape her own sons.  She told of her rescue from that lifestyle and sexual addiction by those who loved her unconditionally and shared God’s love with her.  She later recounted that God’s grace can heal, but after a moment’s reflection added, “It isn’t easy to be healed.”

Change Your Life: THINK (... on These Things)

(As found in the March, 2011 issue of Michigan In Touch)

Imagine with me, if you will, that you are in fact an Olympic caliber athlete. You are in training for 1,600 and 3,200 meter events at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England. With just a little over two years left for training and tryouts, how many of you would begin the Twinkies diet between now and the Games?

As I write this, The North American International Auto Show is taking place in Detroit, Michigan (1.11). From what I’ve heard (I’ve never been there), it’s a glitzy display case for the newest in automobile design and technology. If you were fortunate enough to be able to buy one of the display vehicles, would you fill the fuel tank with water, or Gatorade, or your favorite beer?

The food we eat or the fuel we use will ultimately determine the performance and well being of our bodies and our vehicles. Everyone would agree with this. From Atkins Bars or wheatgrass shots to octane boosters and synthetic oils, companies which help us determine what to put into our bodies and into our cars are multi-billion dollar industries.

What could be more important than what we put into our bodies and into our cars? Unfortunately, it is an area that we rarely deliberately consider, or if we do, it is with a “whatever” nonchalance. What you “fuel” your bodies or cars with really pales in comparison with what you feed … your minds.

Come, Let Us Worship the Lord our Maker

The following is the President's Article in the December/January Michigan in Touch District Magazine.  It written to serve as "An Introduction and Invitation to the Michigan District Theological Conferences on Worship in early 2011."

In the first stanza of a hymn recently penned by Rev. Steven P. Starke of Michigan, we read these words:

O sing of Christ, whose birth made known The kindness of the Lord,

Eternal Word made flesh and bone, So we could be restored. 

Upon our frail humanity God’s finger chose to trace

The fullness of His deity, The icon of His grace.¹  LSB, #362

Having come to know the Word made flesh by God’s grace through faith, we joyously sing, praising our God for His great kindness in giving us a Savior from sin.  We read the Christmas accounts in the Gospels, marveling at the angelic announcement to the shepherds and their response of wonder, joy, and proclamation. (Lk. 2:8-20)  We celebrate God’s leading of the Magi by star which enabled them to see God, worship the Word made flesh, and present Him with gifts. (Matt. 2:1-12)

A Season of MIRACLES - YES They Still Happen ... and We Need Them

MIRACLES … perhaps because of the age in which we live, have taken on the cloak of the fantastical, whimsical, or the special effect in a movie.  Maybe because of the very tough times in which we live they impossible.  Rarely, for many, do “miracles” embrace the category of “possibility” because of something supernatural, much less because of God.

Even those who “believe” in miracles have romantic notions of how and where they take place.  Too often we suppose that supernatural miracles only happen in special or splendid circumstances.  But part of the great Good News at Christmas is that God clothes Himself in the ordinary – and does amazing things!

Not Then, Nor NOW, Can We Avoid the Cities

One of the great challenges for the Church today, and perhaps in particular for The Michigan District, is how to carry on vital and vibrant urban ministry.  More than half of the churches that were thriving in the mid 1950’s in Detroit are now closed, with those remaining  very challenged in their ministries and even in worship attendance.  It is possible that there will no longer be any Lutheran Schools in Detroit by the end of this year.

I’ve heard some excuse this as just the normal turn of events for a city.  Others have recognized the horrible economic plight of our entire state and how it has ravaged Detroit.  Still more have said that “Lutheranism” can no longer impact Detroit like it once did because of Detroit's multi-nationalism and multi-culturalism.

What Are You Doing This Summer? SPIRITUAL GROWTH: MY JOB OR GOD'S?

Psychologists say one of the primary causes of conflict in households involves disputes over what's generally called “division of labor.” If the bed goes unmade, if the dishes go unwashed, if the diaper goes unchanged, who is responsible for getting the job done?  We’re all aware that many households have never had a calm, rational discussion about who is best equipped to do what.

I’d like to ask this question:  Whose job is spiritual growth?  (This really deals with what is known as the doctrine of sanctification.)  For many Christians there is confusion about the division of labor as it relates to spiritual growth or sanctification.  "Is it God's job, or is it mine?"

Aim At Perfection (as found in the June, 2010 Michigan In Touch)

Think about it.   Most of us our average, right?

Of course it depends on what we’re talking about.  I want to emphatically state, however, that there is no correlation between being average athletically, academically, and socially, and being average spiritually.  In fact, if anything, we have an advantage.  One of the most important elements of being a healthy, holy, useful Christian is knowing how much sin has corrupted you, how much you need the Lord Jesus Christ, how inadequate you are of yourself, and how only by God’s grace can you be sufficient for anything.

The Cross in Easter

“The Cross is … to those being saved, the power of God” 1 Corinthians 1:18

Many of us, including myself, have heard, numerous times, the historical account of Jesus last few days before His crucifixion.   Even so, there is still for me the twitch of conscience, on Maundy Thursday, when one by one the disciples ask, “Is it I?”  Their query is a response to Jesus’ announcement that one of them will betray him. (Mark 14:19)  In contemplating their question -- my question -- it is easy for me to reflect upon my own culpability in Jesus’ suffering and death.  “My sin, Lord Jesus, caused your crucifixion.”

ASH WEDNESDAY (Beginning the Lenten Journey) - May God Cleanse Us “Through and Through”

Numerous translations or interpretations of the Bible exist today.  As do many pastors, I love those versions that, although sometimes awkward in their English translation, most accurately reflect the original.  It is then up to the reader and studier of the Scriptures to determine what the Holy Spirit was inspiring the Scriptures writers to pen in those sections for God’s people to understand and apply to their life.

The King James Translation of Psalm 51:2, if read correctly, is surely awkward, accurate, and anything but ambivalent.  As the reader studies King David’s sincere prayer of repentance, with the Holy Spirit’s help and the sure voice of other Scriptures, the awkward rendering of the King James, once understood, is pregnant with meaning.

The Last Word

As I stand at the threshold of a year almost spent and a new year almost begun I am aware that pause should be given to remember God's faithfulness over the past year to His people ... to me, to you.

God's faithfulness intrinsically has a prophetic character about it:  His goodness and grace, His mercy and manifold love, His presence and power and peace given to us and demonstrated for us in the past are harbingers, ensigns, hope-filled guarantees if you will, of how God will continue to be and act. (Cf. Deuteronomy 7:9)

Christmas - The Story Stands!

One of the most respected TV journalists of our time was Harry Reasoner.  In 1971 he gave a Christmas commentary that, at the very least, is quite interesting.  As a Bible-believing, grace-receiving child of God, I found his perspective unique, challenging, and inspiring.  Although there are seemingly different versions of his text both in print and on the internet, here, in part, is what he said (as best I can find it):

Being Accessible ... Can There Be Too Much?

I can hear my wife Pat ask, "Do you have to answer every phone call?"  It's not that she doesn't want me to communicate or be accessible.  It's just that it's dinner, or devotion time, or we just sat down to have a personal conversation that we haven't had in days ... weeks?  There are some priority questions here as well.

Being accessible is more than just a responsibility in the ministry, it is a key part in any position -- professional or personal -- of fostering, building, maintaining ... relationships.

To that end I recently read a blog post by one of Our Savior Lutheran School's illustrious graduates.  His name is Justin Thorp, and he works in Washington, D.C., and is intimately involved with the development of the world wide web.  Really cool stuff.

Twenty Fours Hours in the Life Of ...

Here’s a brief look at the last 24 hours … It was quite an awesome period of time … probably not too atypical of the ministry in some regards …

Had the opportunity to work with OSL’s minister of music, John Horak, on reworking/writing some lyrics for a couple of contemporary songs that we are considering for our contemporary worship services.  Music – traditional and contemporary – is such a gift of God.  I agree with Martin Luther when he said, “Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us.”  I think that could also be said of some of the classical music I enjoy as well.

Inside Love - What Does it Look Like?

We bask in the Easter glow of knowing that God loved us so much that He gave his only begotten Son to suffer, to die, to rise again for all mankind.  God loves us.  Yes! ... and Wow!

Jesus says in John 15:9:  "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love."  In other words, the love that exists inside the Trinity, the love the Father has for the Son, Jesus, is the same love that Jesus has for us.

The logical question then is, What does "love" inside the Trinity look like? Since all the persons in the Trinity have always existed, God's love for Jesus was without beginning and will be without end.  It is eternal.  In Jeremiah 31:3 we learn that we have been loved also with "an everlasting love."  Already in eternity, before the cosmos was created, God saw us and loved us.

Our "loving" here on earth has beginnings (and quite often endings).  You can think of relationships that you have or have had, even your love with Christ had a beginning for you.  But God's love for us has been a steady flowing stream from eternity.

God the Father also loves Jesus immutably, that is without change.  What great comfort for us also that we should be so loved; that God's perfect, comforting, forgiving, peace giving, transforming love for us DOES NOT CHANGE!  We will have great highs and lows in life ... but God will love us just as much in the valley as he does on the mountain top.  Psalm 139:5-12 reminds us that wherever we are, wherever we flee too, God is there.  And since God is love, God is present there -- wherever "there" is -- with His love.  Since God does not change, neither does His love.  We are loved with an eternal love.  God's love for us knows no end.  In that love, in that inviting love we can come to Him and find rest for our weary and burdened souls ... always.  Whether we live or whether we die, we belong to the Lord.

God's love for Jesus knows no end.  Neither does Jesus' love for us.  His love for us is complete.  We must always remember that "Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Ephesians 5:2) 

We truly have an awesome God and Savior!  We have been, are, and will forever be loved without measure, without change, without beginning, and without end.

Just like the Father loves the Son.

OSL School Children’s Christmas Service -

Quick Take … If you even needed a reason to check out sending your children to a

Lutheran

Day School

… come to the Dress Rehearsal next Wednesday, December 20 at 1 pm, or the real deal at 6:30 pm that night.

Why?

I had the opportunity to walk through our Sanctuary the other day … and caught the kids practicing, get ready for, the Christmas Service / Program that they will be leading on Wednesday evening December 20.  The excitement that pervaded the Sanctuary, the special music, little kids looking up in awe at big kids (thinking what it will be like when they are in the Jr. High, I imagine) and Christ being celebrated freely, festively, phenomenally … was inspiring to me. 

The kids were sincerely involved in knowing that this service would have a message, not only for the grandparents and other family members and friends that will be coming, but also for them.  God loves them and brings them incredible hope.  If its anything like in the past … this is a message that they will remember all of their lives as they drift back in their memories of School Children’s Christmas services at Our Savior.

We have this awesome faculty that loves these kids, and prays for them, and makes sure they have the message of salvation straight while giving them the very best of academics, music and sports … and what I saw will impact them, me, and all who see “Christmas at Hope Central.”

Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?

Where would I … we … be without the incredible love of God, and His grace?   These past days of reading and mediating have made me so thankful for the many “pictures” in the Gospels of Jesus having table fellowship, meal-sharing, with all sorts of turkeys, rabble, nobodies and marginalized people on the fringe of society … because there, like no where else, is the “scandalous”, pure, redemptive love of God exposed more clearly, more dramatically.

Exposed!

Was going to take an early morning walk around 5:15 am this morning ... but if you were up you know that it was POURING rain.  So the coffee pot went on early and my devotions began earlier than expected.  The reading was John 8 ... and I was only able to get through the first 11 verses.  In fact I know that I will be back there again some time today ... and probably tomorrow.  What struck me was the blatant contrast between outright hypocrisy and Jesus' profound love for the woman "caught in the very act of adultery" before noted church leaders. 

It hit me that at times it is easy for me to act like the church leaders ... when in reality I am far more like the woman caught in the very act of sin.  My favorite section of the reading ... when Jesus was left with the woman all alone.  Trying to hide her nakedness and shame ... Jesus addresses her with love ... and suddenly she is somehow clothed with dignity, and understanding, and acceptance, and forgiveness ... that came from the Master. 

His words to her were not harsh or condemning ... they were not a final judgement ... but a commmissioning ...  as He said to her, as He and she viewed the rest of her life ... "Go ... and leave your life of sin."  What love, what grace, what encouragement for her future.  What a great way to live today ... with Christ's benediction and commissioning in my life as well.

Fathers' Day Remembrances ...

This coming Sunday will be Fathers’ Day … and since I’m one and have been ever since my first child, daughter Leah, was conceived some 20 years and 8 months ago … with three more such gifts in the decade that followed (Joel, James, and Hannah), I feel eminently qualified to share a few thoughts.

Mothers’ Day has officially passed and been recognized by thousands of corsages and thousands of pounds of chocolates, and maybe even Dads and children cooking something special for Mom that day (and then helping clean up the kitchen afterwards … of course? …) … FATHERS’ DAY will be here shortly … and new ties and BBQ tongs will be unwrapped and put into immediate use.  While the smoke is rising from the burgers, ribs or chicken … take the time to think about what should make Fathers’ Day special …

Technogy, Me, and Hell

I'm really looking forward to returning to the regular, daily practice of blogging.  Why?  Because of the great, original ideas I have and then have a forum to share them on.  Not hardly ... and not just because I don't have that many great, much less original ideas.  No!  Nothing more really that I just want to regularly communicate with an incredibly loving flock ... and encourage them in their walk with Jesus.

Why then the title?  Folks, pray for me ... because sometimes I think technology (Palm Pilots, Computers, Power Point, etc.) will always have something of an antagonistic relationship.  Even the Administrative Assistant at Church thinks that I have some type of "wierd magnetic field" or something that cause electronic stuff to foul up.  She's seen it first hand.

Anyway ... I haven't been blogging because

• my wireless router at home went on the blink and it roughly 6 hours over 2 days to figure that out and more time for the remedy ...
• we completely lost are cable connection for a number of days ... and someone at the cable company finally believed me ...
• my laptops power supply shorted out ... with sparks, the smell of fire, and that unique, pungent, destable smell of burning plastic ...

As much as I use and depend on technology (and I fear that we need to all the more in the future for communication sake) the last number of weeks has been something of a living hell.

Fortunately, my relationship with God the Father is personal, none technological, depends on no other connection other than the living Christ and the continued work of the Holy Spirit apart from no other means than the Word and Sacraments.  Ah, there's my Lutheran heritage coming out ... and in perfect communion with a now functioning computer.

And they say miracles don't happen in the present day and age ...

HEAVY WEIGHTS ... Godly Parents & Christian Education

This past Tuesday was an exciting day for many … it was a snow day for almost every kid I know … and there seemed to be lot of parents that had a day off … somehow.   Well it was a very exciting day for me too … not just because I discovered there was going to be a snow day early in the morning … or because there was a fire in the fireplace with the snow blowing outside … or because I had a cup of hot coffee in my hand … a silent house and a great time for devotion and prayer.   What made it most exciting was what happened a few hours later …

When Does Parenting End ... Or Continue?

Godly parents are sure a blessing … even when (maybe even “especially when”) you are older.  Certainly our parents loved and cared for us when we were growing up as kids and demonstrated immense patience when we were teens.  But the genuineness and reality of their faith and love. I believe, can truly be seen now that their love and concern for each of us and for our children remain demonstrated constants … even when they don’t have to be.

When we first discovered that Joel had a tumor … my parents and Pat’s mom were awesome encouragers.  Before and after the brain tumor surgery at the U of M hospital in Ann Arbor … they maintained there continuing support and encouragement for Joel and for Pat and myself.  Pat’s mom was just down the road in Monroe, MI … and my parents made frequent trips up from Ft. Wayne, IN.

I’d have to say that especially my father kept my head above water by continually pointing me to the presence and power and peace of Christ … his forgiving love … and his power to overcome and deal with doubts. 

What was exemplified by my earthly father is done so perfectly by my heavenly Father.  Maybe in the end that’s the best definition of fatherhood: imitating and pointing to … the heavenly father.  That’s certainly what I’d like to do in my life … something I truly want to pursue.